QUICK TRAIL FACTS
- Preserve Size: Not sure
- Trail Mileage: 1.4 miles one way
- Pets: yes
- Difficulty: easy
- Sights: Saco River
In Saco, the Riverwalk offers a stroll away from the city along the river. If you start near the downtown, you should check out Riverfront Park, a small parcel of land close to Main Street that has an aluminum walkway with great views of the dam and river. From Pepperell Square, walk under the bridge, and take a right. You’ll descend some stairs to reach the riverside walkway, which brings you eventually to a long staircase back up to Front Street. This trail portion is about 0.2 miles.
From here, if you walk away from town, you’ll come to the city’s water treatment center. Walk through this to reach the path. You’ll see a sign for the Riverwalk and a little observation deck; the dirt trail heads off to the left, along the outside perimeter of a fence.
The next short section, which links Front Street and Hall Avenue, follows a wide, dirt track that’s not too exciting, but it brings you to a scrappier, unmaintained trail that continues down the river. I highly recommend following this trail for the river views from two high ledges.
Once you leave the observation deck and water treatment plant, you’ll reach a big, open grassy area and picnic area in about a quarter mile. Follow the path as it curves right to reach a set of stairs to Hall Avenue. Off to the side here, you’ll see a narrow path that slips through a hole in a large fence. You’ll have to cross a stream at this point (wet, muddy!) and then you’ll follow the well-worn route to open ledges with views over the river and back toward the city. On one of my last visits, I saw the remains of two homeless camps along this stretch.
You can leave a car easily at two places — at the boat launch on Front Street or at the end of Hall Avenue. You might also be able to park in the Deering Park cemetery. If you park at the boat launch, you’ll have to walk along Front Street through the sewage treatment plant to pick up the trail.
Directions: From Pepperell Square in Saco, follow Front Street to the boat launch. Park here and walk past the yacht club and along the road through the treatment center. The path begins behind the plant. You can also park at the end of Hall Avenue.
Check out more info and photos from Saco River at Carefree Creative, a Maine-based web company that has helped us with our website!
I quite often walk my dog behind the Run of the Mill. Being a responsible pet owner I can’t help but notice a lot of people do not clean up after. Their pet. I think some signage needs to go up.
That’s pretty annoying! Sometimes if a city can afford it, putting up a plastic bag dispenser and trashcan at the trailheads is also a good way to encourage responsible dog walking.